A police detective has denied last year's riot on Palm Island off north
Queensland could have been prevented.
Detective Sergeant Darren Alan Robinson gave evidence today at the
committal hearing of 23 people charged over the riot.
Hundreds of angry people stormed the Palm Island police compound on
November 26, torching buildings and trapping police.
Today, the Townsville Magistrates Court heard Detective Sergeant
Robinson had received several tip-offs that the island's police station
was going to be firebombed.
Under cross-examination, he said he had been told Molotov cocktails were
being prepared for the attack.
Defence barrister Mark Donnelly argued the riot was the result of the
default, neglect and ignorance of the Queensland Police Service.
He asked the detective if the situation could have been prevented had
police reinforcements been called in.
Detective Sergeant Robinson testified that extra police had been sent to
the island ahead of the riot. |
